Cutting elongated stock

ABSTRACT

An improved technique for cutting the end of elongated stock at a selected angle to the longitudinal axis of the stock. The machine includes a chuck for securing and supporting the trailing end of the stock. The chuck is mounted for movement along a rail to advance the leading end of the stock along its longitudinal axis to a cutting station. The chuck includes an arrangement for precision advancement along the rail and for measuring accurately the distance through which the chuck and its supported stock are advanced. The chuck also is rotatable to enable the angular position of the stock to be adjusted about its longitudinal axis. The degree of angular rotation of the chuck is controlled and measured precisely by a protractor which is rotatable with respect to the chuck to enable the protractor to be set to a fixed reference index. The protractor thereafter is secured to the chuck for rotation in unison there-with and provides a precise indication of the angle through which the chuck and the stock has been rotated. A cutting unit having a cutter blade is located at the cutting station and is mounted for movement toward and away from the stock along a cutter descent axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stock. A dual vise arrangement is provided for holding the stock on both sides of the region where the cut is to be made. The cutting blade, which lies in a vertical plane, is adjustably rotatable about the cutter descent axis to vary the angle which the blade makes with the stock. The cutting blade is part of a cutting unit which is mounted to a supporting post for movement toward and away from the cutting station. The supporting post is located in a position which enables the cutter blade to be rotated through its full range of angular positions without directing swarf toward the post or any other portion of the machine. Additionally, the cutting unit is counterbalanced so that the operator need only apply minimal force to urge the cutter downwardly toward and through the elongated stock. The machine also includes an improved arrangement for marking the protractor and the scale which indicates the position of the cutting unit above the cutter descent axis. These improvement scales are adapted to enable a relatively simple programmed series of steps to be provided to the operator for cutting relatively complex parts. Gauges and limit stops also are associated with the counterbalanced cutter unit to enable the operator to control accurately and repetitively the depth of cut.

United States Patent Margolien [54] CUTTING ELONGATED STOCK [72]Inventor: David H. Margolien, Lexington,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: Geometron Company, Inc., Lexington, Mass.

[22] Filed: March 5, 1970 21 1 Appl. No.: 16,792

[52] US. Cl. .83/409,83/437, 83/473,

83/489, 83/522, 83/581 [5l]--Int. c|....- ..B26d7/06 [58] Field ofSearch .I83/409, 437, 488, 581, 489, 83/473, 522; 51/2l6.6; 214/15, 16

Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Att0meyWolf, Greenfield and Sacks [57]ABSTRACT An improved technique for cutting the end of elongated stock ata selected angle to the longitudinal axis of the stock. The machineincludes a chuck for securing and supporting thetrailing end of thestock. The chuck is mounted for movement along a rail to advance theleading end of the stock along its longitudinal axis to a cuttingstation. The chuck includes an arrangement for precision advancementalong the rail and for measuring accurately the distance through 1 Aug.29,1972

which the chuck and its supported stock are advanced. The chuck also isrotatable to enable the angular position of the stock to be adjustedabout its 1on gitudinal axis. The degree of angular rotation of thechuck is controlled and measured precisely by a protractor which isrotatable with respect to the chuck to enable the protractor to be setto a fixed reference index. The protractor thereafter is secured to thechuck for rotation in unison there-with and provides a preciseindication of the angle through which the chuck and the stock has beenrotated. A cutting unit having a cutter blade is located at the cuttingstation and is mounted for movement toward and away from the stock alonga cutter descent axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe stock. A dual vise arrangement is provided for holding the stock onboth sides of the region where the cut is to be made. The cutting blade,which lies in a vertical plane, is adjustably rotatable about the cutterdescent axis to vary the angle which the blade makes with the stock. The

' cutting blade is part of a cutting unit which is mounted to asupporting post for movement toward and away from the cutting station.The supporting post is located in a position which enables the cutterblade to be rotated through its full range of angular positions withoutdirecting swarf toward the post or any other portion of the machine.Additionally, the cutting unit is counterbalan so that the operator needonly apply minimal orce to urge the cutter downwardly toward and throughthe elongated stock. The machine also includes an improved arrangementfor'rnarking the protractor and the scale which indicates the positionof the cutting unit above the cutter descent axis. These improvementscales are adapted to enable a relatively simple programmed series ofsteps to be provided to the operator for cutting relatively complexparts. Gauges and limit stops also are associated with thecounterbalanced cutter unit to enable the operator to control accuratelyand repetitively thedepth of cut. I

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Y "III I I80 I Illllll INVENTOR DAVID H. MARGOLIEN 230 BY I WQYYW'EM,165 -11 6 4 5A ATTORNEYS CUTTING ELONGATED STOCK BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to machines for cutting or milling theends of an elongate stock and, more particularly, to cut-off machines ofthe type described in US. Pats. Nos. 3,263,544 and 3,342,107. Themachine may be employed to cut a segment from a length of elongatedstock in which the ends of the cut segments are disposed in selectedplanes or are otherwise shaped to be mated with precision to anotherpart. In most-instances the other part to which the segment is mated is,itself, a segment which has been cut ina precise manner from a similarlength of elongated stock. The segments may be used to construct anynumber of constructions such as pipe joints, structural braces and thelike which require the segments to be joined accurately. The joints maybe relatively simple such as an elbow in which the mating ends of thesegments each are cut at a 45 angle to their longitudinal axes. Thisrequires a simple, single cut to be made along a single plane at themating ends of each segment. Segments also may be cut to produce a morecomplicated joint which may consist of a plurality of segments joined ata common juncture and which radiate from the common juncture. In suchmore complicated joints, the connected end of each segment must matewith the ends of two or more other segments which requires that themating ends of the segments be' cut along a plurality of planes. Theprecision required to fabricate and cut the mating ends of segments usedin such a cluster joint must be controlled more critically than thesegments which mate to form a simple elbow joint. If only one ofthe'mating end surfaces of one of the segments is oriented improperly,the error in orientation will effect the orientation of the other matingends of the other segments and thus will destroy the proper relativealignment of the segments in the cluster. The error introduced by oneimproperly oriented mating end is cumulative throughout the joint. Forthese reasons it is essential that the machine is capable of cutting thestock along precisely controlled planes. It is among the primary objectsof the invention to provide a machine which enables such precisecontrol.

In addition to providing precise control as to the angle or angles ofthe cuts made in the end of the segment it is equally important that thesegment be cut to a precise and controlled length. In prior devices thelength of each segment has to be measured by the operator of themachine, such measurement being made from the extreme ends of thesegment. Accurate measurement in this manner is quite difficult, particularly when the ends of the segment are cut at an angle to thelongitudinal axis. In the machines described in the aforementioned US.Patents a scale is provided along the length of the rail over which thestock is advanced. In order to determine the length of the segment whichis to be cut and which projects beyond the cutting unit the operatormust first note the original position of the chuck along the scale andthen must calculate the distance which the chuck and work piece must beadvanced along the scale to produce a segment of the desired length.Although this arrangement is capable of producing quite accurateresults, it, nevertheless, does require a considerable amount of Whencutting the segments from the elongated stock, I

the stock is weakened as the cutting operation progresses. Because ofthis the stock may tend to bend at the cut region so that thelongitudinal axis of the stock and that of the segment becomemisaligned. If the segment being cut becomes misaligned with theremaining portion of the elongate stock, the accuracy of the cutand ofthe segment will be impaired. My invention includes an arrangement forgripping the projecting segment to be cut to insure its proper alignmentwith the trailing, elongated stock throughout the cutting operation.

A further difficulty inherent resides in the properalignment andassembly of the segments after they have been cut, even when the cutshave been made with satisfactory precision. In current techniques thefabricator simply places the mating parts of the segments against eachother and aligns them visually. He then may place the visually alignedparts in a jig to secure them in the mated configuration while they arebeing fastened to each other as by welding or other fasteningtechniques. The invention provides a technique for marking the edges ofsurfaces which are to be mated to provide a guide or fixed 'visualreference which enables the operator to mate-the parts with the requiredaccuracy.

Another difiiculty in prior machines is that they are arranged so that,in some instances, the swarf is ejected partly toward the operator ortowardfa part of the machine from which it may ricochet and injure theoperator. The machine disclosed herein is designed to eliminate thispossibility by locating the structural parts of the machine and thecutting unit so that the swarf is never ejected toward the operator or amachine part. Instead, the swarf may be ejected toward a receptacle,such as a vacuum inlet which ingests all of the swarf, thus maintainingthe area clean.

In currently available cut off machines the operator must possessconsiderable skill, particularly in regard to setting the machine tomake a particular cut in the stock. It is necessary frequently for theoperator to perform a number of mathematical calculations in order toset the various components of the machine to effect a particular cut. Inthe instant invention, the operator need not perform any mathematicalcalculations and may be provided with a program of relatively simpleinstructions. The various measuring scales associated with the machineare arranged to permit the use of such relatively simple pre-programmedinstructions.

SUMMARY OF'THE INVENTION The various aspects of the invention areembodied in a cutting machine of the type described in theaforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,263,544 and 3,342,107. These machinesinclude an arrangement by which a cutting member, such as a circular sawblade or abrain prior techniques dinal axis perpendicular to thevertical axis of the cutter blade in a position below the cutter bladeso that as the cutter blade advances downwardly, it may engage and cutthrough the stock at the cutting station. The cutting blade is advancedperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stock at all times. Theangle at which the cutting blade cuts the stock may be varied andcontrolled by rotating the blade to various positions about itsvertical, translatory, cutter descent axis. A scale is provided toindicate the angle of the blade about the vertical axis. The scale isdivided into designated quadrants which facilitate a simplifiedprogramming technique for instructing the operator of the machine.

In addition to the variable angle of the cutter disc, the chuck isrotatably mounted to the carriage so that it may rotate the stock aboutits longitudinal axis. This provides an additional variable whichpermits the stock to be cut in relatively complex configuration.

The elongate stock is supported at one end by a chuck which, in turn, issupported on a carriage movable lengthwise along a rail toward and awayfrom the cutting station. The other end of the stock extendslongitudinally toward the cutting station and means are provided at andabout the cutting station to grip the stock firmly.

One aspect of the invention relates to an improved arrangement forgripping the leading end of the stock which is to be cut. Thisarrangement is an improvement over prior machines which provide a visewhich grips the stock firmly near the region where it is to be cutbetween the cutting wheel and the trailing end of the stock. Althoughthis arrangement generally will provide sufficient rigidity for a singleout which severs the leading segment from the trailing portion of thestock, it is inadequate where a number of cuts are to be made at thesame location in the stock, particularly when some of the multiple cutsonly extend part way through the stock. Because a partially cut regionwill be weakened somewhat,*it may flex or otherwise deform during thesubsequent cutting operations, which may result in imprecise orientationof the relative planes on the finally cut segment. This is overcome inthe instant invention by providing a secondary, floating vise which islocated beyond the cutting wheel and which grips firmly the forwardlyprojecting segment of the stock. The floating vise cooperates with themain vise to grip the stock firmly on both sides of the cutting station.By providing support on both sides of the location of the cut,deformation or misalignment of the trailing portion of the stock and theleading segment is precluded. As the cuts are made and the stock isrotated to a new angular position in readiness for the next cut, theweakened stock still is held rigidly on both sides of the cut region.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an im proved arrangement formeasuring and gauging the length of the segment which is cut from theleading end of the stock. This includes a linear measuring device whichis mounted to the carriage for movement in unison with the chuck and,therefore, the stock. The linear measuring device is engagable with therail on which the carriage moves and may be reset to fixed reference,such as a zero indication, after the leading end of the segment to bemeasured has been cut at its leading end. All of the vises then arereleased, and the carriage is advanced toward the cutting station toadvance the leading end of the stock past the cutter descent axis. Thelengthwise measuring device which is in engagement continually with therail provides an accumulated reading of the distance through which thecarriage has been advanced. This distance is equal to the distance whichthe leading segment projects beyond the cutting station. The distancethrough which the carriage, chuck and stock have advanced may becontrolled accurately and precisely by the linear measuring device,which isextremely accurateand which can provide resolution of the orderof one onethousandth of an inch. I

The machine also includes an improved arrangement for advancing thecarriage along the rail in a positive and controlled manner. For thispurpose, a rack and pinion arrangement is provided in which the rack issecured to and extends rearwardlyof the carriage into engagement with apinion rotatably mounted within a housing. The pinion block may belocked to the rail at any position along the rail. A crank is connected'to the pinion so that once the block has been locked to the rail,rotation of the crank and pinion will advance the rack and carriageforwardly or rearwardly along the rail to the desired position. Thelinear measuring device provides an accurate indication of the extent ofcarriage advancement even if some backlash exists between the rack andpinion.

Yet another aspect of the invention resides in the mounting of the scalewhich measures the angle of rotation of the chuck and stock about thelongitudinal axis of the stock. The angular position of the stock isvery important and must be controlled carefully if precision is to beachieved in the angular relation between the cuts made through thestock. This improvement includes a circular disc marked about itscircumference to form a protractor. The disc is rotatable freely aboutthe axis of the chuck past a reference index which is fixed to thecarriage. Before any cuts are initiated in the stock, the protractor isrotated so that the zero position is in registry with the referenceindex. The protractor then is locked firmly to the chuck for rotation inunison with the chuck and the stock. This provides a constant indicationof the angular position of the stock in relation to the originalposition of the stock. The scale on the protractor is divided intodistinct segments which are marked to facilitate a simplifiedprogramming technique for instructing the operator in making aparticular series of cuts.

A further aspect of the invention is directed toward the generallocation of the structural parts and cutting unit of the machine. Thecutting unit is supported by a main post on which the cutter unit movesvertically along the cutter descent axis. The post is located withrespect to the cutter and vise so that the cutter may be oriented to anydesired angle with respect to the work piece, but which insures that theswarf will not be directed toward the post or the operator. Thisprovides an important safety feature for the operator. Additionally, theelimination of any obstructions to the ejected swarf enables areceptacle, such as a vacuum scoop or other swarf collector, to bepositioned to receive the swarf without interference from any parts ofthe machine. This enhances desired cleanliness of operation.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the operator control foradvancing the cutting unit vertically toward and away from the stockwith minimal effort but with positive control. The cutting unit isrelatively heavy and is counterbalanced and biased slightly in an upwardposition. A relatively light yet firm effort is required by the operatorto cut through the stock. The counterbalancing arrangement also providesmore of sensitive feel for the operator as the blade cuts through thestock.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a cut off machine whichis adapted particularly to cut the end of an elongated stock preciselyand accurately even when the end to be cut is of relatively complexconfiguration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cut off machine of thetype described which .enables an operator to cut relatively complexparts for elongate stock with relatively simple instructions from adesigner and which requires no mathematical calculation on the part ofthe operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementfor controlling the length of segment which is cut from the elongatestock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedarrangement for gripping the elongate stock in the region where it is tobe cut.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cut off machine inwhich the swarf is never directed toward the operator or toward astructural element of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine with a portion of the railremoved;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chuck, carriage and arrangement foradvancing and measuring the extent of advancement of the carriage;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken through the pinion housing asviewed along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the linear advancement indicator asviewed from the plane 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cluster joint which may be fabricatedfrom the segments cut in the cut off machine and in which the segmentslie along mutually perpendicular axes;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the mating ends of the segments shown inthe cluster of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of the manner in which themating end of the segment shown in FIG. 6 is cut;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the location of the cutting wheel and stockas viewed from the plane 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrating therelative position of the stock and cutting wheel after the stock hasbeen rotated into position in readiness for the second cut;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cutting unit and multiple visearrangement;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the counterbalancing of the arrangementfor the cutting unit;

FIG. 12 is a somewhat schematic, plan view of the machine;

FIG. 13 is a perspective illustration of a vise which is mounted on acarriage in substitution for the chuck and to secure non-circular stock;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a portion of the elongate stockwhich is tobe cut and showing the location of an orientation notch formed in thestock before the cut is made;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a pair of segments joined at an elbow andshowing the manner in which the registration notches are employed toalign precisely the segments;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the manner in which the cutting unit ismounted to permit adjustment of the cutting disc;

FIG. 16A is a gage device adapted to facilitate accurate centering ofthe cutting disc;

- FIG. 17 .is a diagrammatic view, in plan, of the quadrant designationof the scales for controlling the angle at which the cutter blade isdisposed in relation to the longitudinal axis of the stock; and

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view, as seen along the longitudinal axis ofthe machine, of the protractor and the segmented scale associated withthe protractor.

FIG. 1 shows the machine having a main frame, indicated generally by thereference character 10, which supports the cutting unit, indicated bythe reference character 12. The main frame 10 includes a generally flattable 14 over which the work piece, such as the elongate stock 16, islocated during the cutting operations. The leading end of the work piece16 is gripped securely in its position over the table 14 by means of aprimary vise l8 and secondary, floating vise 20. The rearward, trailingend of the elongate work piece 16 is gripped securely by a chuck 22which is supported for forward-rearward movement along a rail 24 bymeans of a carriage 26. The rail 24 extends along a forwardrearwarddirection for a considerable length to enable the machine to handlerelatively long stock which may be 25 feet or more in length.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the cutting unit 12includes a circular cutting disc 28 which may be of an abrasivecharacter or saw tooth design depending on the material of the workpiece. Although in most instances the circular cutting disc 28 will bepreferred, other cutting devices may be employed such as band saws,cutting torch etc. The cutting unit 12 is supported directly above thelongitudinal axis of the work piece and is mounted for heightwisemovement toward and away from the work piece by a slide 30 which ismounted for vertical sliding movement to a rigid post 32 fastenedsecurely to and extending upwardly from the base 10. The cutting unit 12is disposed above the table 14 so that it moves along a vertical cutterdescent axis 34 which is perpendicular to and intersects thelongitudinal axis 36 at the cutting station. The cutter descent axis 34also passes diametrically through the cutting wheel 28, which ismaintained in a vertical plane at all times. This arrangement insuresthat as the cutting disc 28 engages and is advanced through the stock16, it will advance through the stock along a direction that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stock 16. As describedmore fully in the aforementioned U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,263,544 and3,342,107, this technique for engaging and advancing the cutter disc 28through the work piece 16 permits greater cutting accuracy to beachieved. It also reduces the forces imposed on the cutting disc 28 andthe work piece and provides an arrangement by which the length of theout work piece may be controlled more accurately than in prior cuttingdevices.

Also, as described in the aforementioned US. patents, the cutting unit12 is supported for rotation about the vertical cutter descent axis 34to permit cuts to be made along a plane which lies at a selected angleto the longitudinal axis of the workpiece l6 and along a direction inwhich the cutting disc enters the stock from a direction that isperpendicular to its longitudinal axis. In the illustrative embodimentof the invention, this arrangement includes a supporting arm 38 which isfastened rigidly to the slide 30 and which projects over the table 14.The cutting unit 12 is mounted rotatably to the end of the supportingarm 38 for rotation about the cutter descent axis 34. As described morefully herein the cutting unit also includes a special scale 40 whichrotates in unison with the cutting unit past a fixed reference index 42located on the supporting arm 38. The device also may include a springbiased'detent 44 mounted to the supporting arm 38 which cooperates witha number of holes (not shown) formed in the plate 46 which rotates withthe cutting unit 12. The holes are spaced angularly about the plate 46to enable the cutting disc 28 to be rotated and positioned in a numberof planes which make commonly employed angles with the longitudinal axisof the stock (30, 45, 60, 90, etc.). In addition to the detent forcommon angles, the cutting unit may be locked in any other desired angleabout the cutter descent axis 34 by a lock which may be operated by thehand lever 48. Any number of locking arrangements operable by a handlever and which are well-known in the art may be employed.

The cutting unit 12 also includes a motor 50 secured rigidly anddepending from the circular plate 40. The cutting disc 28 is secured tothe shaft of the motor 50. A guard 52 preferably is disposed about asubstantial portion of the cutting disc 28.

In addition to the rotational adjustment of the plane of the cuttingdisc 28 to vary the plane angle at which the stock 16 is cut, themachine also includes an arrangement by which the workpiece 16 may berotated to various angular positions about the longitudinal axis 36. Bycontrolling the angle of the cutting wheel 28 about the cutter descentaxis 34 and also the angular position of the stock 16 about itslongitudinal axis 36, a number of cuts may be made in the workpiecealong planes which lie at various angles to each other. Opposite endsmay be cut at opposite angles or multiple angles may be made on the sameend of the cut stock. Although the end of a finally cut segment of stockmay appear as a relatively complex and compound angle, this angle may becut along a series of planes by orienting properly the angularrelationships between the the instructions which the operator mustfollow when cutting a particular workpiece, irrespective of the apparentcomplexity of the cuts being made in the workpiece.

The stock 16 is rotated about its longitudinal axis 36 by the chuck 22into which the trailing end of the stock 16 is butted firmly and grippedsecurely. The chuck 22 is secured to a spindle'54 which, in turn, isrotatably supported about its longitudinal axis 36 on a chuck support56. The chuck support 56, in turn, is mounted detachably to the carriage26 for movement along the length of the rail 24 as described below. Thechuck 22 and spindle 54 are freely rotatable and may be locked in anydesired angular position about the axis 36 by the hand locking lever 58which locks the spindle 54 to the chuck support 56.

The extent of angular rotation of the chuck 22 and, therefore, theworkpiece 16, is measured by a protractor disc 60 which is marked, indegrees,'along a scale 62 disposed about the periphery of the disc 60.The scale 62 cooperates with a fixed reference index 64 which is mountedto the chuck support 56 adjacent to the .scale 62. The protractor disc60 is freely rotatable about the spindle 54 and is retained in place onthe spindle by means a collar 66 which is secured to the spindle. Theprotractor disc 60 may be locked in any rotational position with respectto the spindle 54'by a locking screw 68 which passes through a portionof the disc 60 and engages a portion of the spindle 54. With thisarrangement, the operator may secure the trailing end of the stock 16within the chuck without taking any special precautions to insure thatthe stock 16 is disposed in any particular desired angular relationabout the longitudinal axis 36. Once the stock has been secured in thechuck and has been gripped by the vise 18, the protractor disc 60 isrotated to register its zero calibration with the fixed reference index64. The disc 60 then is locked in this position to the spindle 54 by thelocking screw 68 so that it will rotate thereafter in unison with thechuck and workpiece 16. By permitting such zero reference adjustment ofthe protractor scale 62 any subsequent rotation of the stock to adesired angular position about its longitudinal axis 36 may be madesimply and without calculations. The scale 62 may be marked in degreesand fractions thereof from 0 to 360 or, as in the preferred arrangementdescribed more fully below, may be marked in two segments of 0 to 180each. This arrangement provides a simple and accurate indication of theangular position of the workpiece 16 about its longitudinal axis 36.

The machine is adapted to cut a long length of stock 16 into a number ofsegments, indicated generally by the reference character 70. In additionto controlling the various plane angles at which the cutting disc 28cuts the stock, precision control of the longitudinal dimension ofthesegment also is critical. This is true particularly when a number ofsegments are to be joined with their angularly cut ends in abutting,mating relation to each other. If. one of the segments is of improperlength, the error will be transmitted to all of the other segments andmating portions thereof, thus magnifying the error, When the mating endsof the segments are of more complex, multiple cut configuration, anerror in length of one of the segments is amplified even further.Indeed, in many multiple cut, compoundangle configurations any slighterror may destroy completely proper alignment of the segments. Becauseof the difficulties previously encountered in controlling accurately theangle of cuts and the length of the finally cut segment, many multiplecut, compound angle assemblies have not been able to be fabricated in amachine but had to be fabricated manually at great expense and by highlyskilled technicians.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rail 24 includes an elongate flat plate72 which is supported on a rail support 74. The rail support 74, inturn, is supported by a number of supporting feet 76 which are disposedin spaced relation along the length of the rail support 74. Thesupporting feet 76 preferably are provided with leveling screws 78 topermit the rail 24 to be adjusted in a horizontal position. Thewidthwise edges 80 of the rail plate 72 extend transversely beyond therail support 74 to define overhanging margins which extend along thelength of the rail plate 72. The margins are employed to guide thecarriage 26 along the length of the rail 24 and to permit the carriageto be locked firmly to the rail 24.

The carriage 26 includes a base plate 82 which has rollers 84 rotatablymounted to the plate 82 at its forward and rearward ends. The rollers 84support the plate 82 so that it is spaced heightwise from the rail plate72. The carriage 26 is guided for movement along the length of the railplate-72 by means of guide rollers 86 which are secured to the baseplate 82 for rotation about a vertical axis and which engage the edges80 of the rail plate 72. The carriage 26 and chuck 22 may be rolledalong the rail plate 72 to any desired position. The carriage 26 may belocked in any desired position along the rail plate by means of a clamp,indicated generally by the reference character 88, which is secured tothe plate 82. The clamp 88 has a pair of gripping plates 90 which arepivoted near the widthwise edges of the base plate 82 and which extenddownwardly below the edges 80 so that the gripping plates may be drawntoward the edges 80 of the rail plate 72. The gripping plates are lockedagainst the edges 80 of the rail plate 72 by a locking bolt 92 whichextends transversely between the base plate 82 and rail plate 72, thelocking bolt 92 being screwed into one or both of the gripping plates90.

One aspect of the invention includes an improved arrangement foradvancing the carriage 26 along the rail and for measuring accuratelythe extent of advancement of the carriage by controlling accurately thelinear advancement of the carriage 26. The length of the segment 70which projects beyond the cutter descent axis 34 similarly may becontrolled accurately. The mechanism for advancing the carriage 26 alongthe rail 24 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3 and includes a rack94 which is secured to one side of the carriage 26-and which extendrearwardly therefrom along the margin of the rail plate 72. A floatingclamp 96 is provided in association with the rack-'94 which passesthrough the hole formed in the clamp body 96. A pinion gear 98 isrotatably mounted within-the clamp body 96 for engagement with the rack.The pinion gear 98 is driven by a shaft 100 which protrudes upwardlythrough the clamp housing 96 and which is connected to a manuallyoperated crank handle 102. The clamp 96 includes a portion whichembraces the laterally extending margin of the rail plate 72 by aclamping screw or bolt 104 which is tightened to clamp the housingagainst the laterally extending margin of the rail plate 72. Once thefloating clamp 96 has been secured firmly to the rail 72 the operatormay turn the crank handle 102 to advance the carriage forwardly orrearwardly along the length of the rail 24 with positive control.

The extent of advancement of the carriage and, therefore, the stock iscontrolled and measured accurately by a zero-reference linear measuringdevice 106 shown in FIG. 2. This device is mounted to the carriage 26and cooperates with the rail plate 72 to provide an accurate indicationof the linear distance through which the carriage 26 has beenmoved'along the rail 24. Each time the carriage 26 is advanced along therail, the measurement of the extent of that advancement is made from anew zero-reference. This enables the distance to be determined withoutrequiring mathematical calculations on the part of the operator. Theextent of measurement is read out directly from the linear measuringdevice. As shown in FIG. 2 the device includes a traveling indicator 108which is mounted to the rearward end of the carriage 26, as by thebracket 110. The traveling indicator 108 includes a gage wheel 112 (seeFIG. 4) which engages frictionally the widthwise edge of the rail plate72 at all times. Any movement of the indicator 108 lengthwise of therail 24 will cause the frictionally engaged gage wheel 112 to berotated, the extent of rotation of the wheel being readable directly onthe read out scale of the indicator 108 in linear measurement. Travelingindicators of this type are available commercially and, for example, maybe obtained from Southwestern Industries, Los Angeles, California. Theindicator 108 preferably is selected to provide a high degree ofresolution which may be of the order of 0.001 inches. This high degreeof resolution is suitable in most instances to provide sufficientaccuracy in the length of the segment to be cut to be sure that it maybe mated thereafter properly with other segments. Additionally, themovement of the carriage 26 along minute, incremental lengths such asone or two thousandths of an inch may be controlled carefully by therack and pinion arrangement described above which permits minoradjustments in the position of the carriage along the rail to be madewith relative case. In the preferred technique of using this device, theindicator is reset to zero before the carriage is moved. Any readingthereafter on the indicator will provide an accurate indication of theextent through which the carriage has been advanced.

In the machine described, the traveling indicator 108 is used inconjunction with a coarse scale such as the tape measure 114 whichprovides a rough indication of the extent of carriage advancement. Theuse of the coarse scale is desirable particularly when the stock isrelatively long and is to be advanced longitudinally over a relativelylarge distance. Currently available traveling indicators of the typedescribed are designed to operate over a relatively short distance, as 6inches.

For example, in a 6-inch indicator, the operator must keep track of the6-inch increments and must add them to determine the full extent ofadvancement. By providing the relatively long, continuous, coarse tapescale, the operator need not perform any calculations. The combined useof the coarse tape and relatively fine traveling indicator providesresults with'a high degree of resolution. The coarse scale of the tapemeasure 114 is employed by securing the zero end of the tape to rail, asby the magnet 116; or other clamp. Before the carriage is advanced themagnet is secured to the rail so that the zero indication on the tape isin registry with a fixed reference index 1 18 on the bracket 110. Withthe zero end of the tape measure 114 thus secured, the advancement ofthe carriage 26 will cause the tape measure 1 14 to unroll from aspring-loaded spool contained within a housing 120 which also is securedto the bracket 110. The fixed index 118 thus advances past the fixed,but unrolling indicia on the tape measure 1 14 to provide a coarseindication of the extent of carriage movement.

Another aspect of the invention resides in the provision of the improvedvise arrangement for gripping the stock 16 and segment 70 to be cut onopposite sides of the region where the cut is to be made. This isimportant particularly when the trailing end of the segment 70 is madein a number of cuts to define a compound angle. When making the compoundangle trailing end of a segment 70, the initial cuts may be made onlypart way through the stock so that the segment 70 and stock 16 remainattached along a generally narrow connective portion. This enables thestock 16 and segment 70 to be rotated in unison by the chuck 22 to adesired orientation which will present the stock 16 and segment 70 tothe cutting blade 28 for the final cut which will sever completely thesegment 70 while making the final cut at the desired angle. For example,this technique might be employed to fabricate a cluster of segments asshown in FIG. 5 in which the mating ends of the segments are cut toenable the segments 70a to be joined along three mutually perpendicularaxes. As shown in FIG. 6, the mating end of the segments 70a requiresthat two cuts be made to form the surfaces 122 and 124. FIGS. 7, 8 and 9show the orientation of the stock relative to the cutting disc 28 whilemaking the sequence of cuts to fabricate the mating end shown in FIG. 6.FIG. 7 shows the stock 16 as viewed from the cutter descent axis 34while the first cut is being made through the stock to form the surface124. The cutting disc 28 is positioned about the cutter descent axis 34so that the plane of the disc 28 makes an angle of 45 with thelongitudinal axis 36 of the stock 1 6. The cutting disc 28 then isbrought downwardly into and through the stock 16 but does not cut fullythrough the stock so that the connective portion 126 remains intact, the

rotated along the direction indicated by the arrows 128 (clockwise asseen from the rearward end of the stock) to the position shown in FlG..9. When fabricating the properly supported, the segment 70a then willfall away segment 70a for construction of the cluster shown in FIG. 5,the stock 16 is rotated through an angle of 90. Additionally, whenfabricating the illustrative segment, the angular setting of the cuttingblade 28 about its cutter descent axis 34 need not be changed and may beretained at the same orientation as when making the first cut. Thesegment 7 0a is rotated 90 in unison with the stock 16 because of theconnective portion 126 which was not severed by the cutting disc 28during the first cut. When the stock 16 and segment 70a have been lockedin this position, the cutting unit 12 is urged downwardly to cause thecutter disc 28 to cut fully through the stock. This severs the segment70a completely from the stock 16 while forming the compound angle" atthe trailing end of the segment'70a.

In order to obtain the precision necessary in making the cuts so thatthe surfaces 122, 124 are disposed properly on the trailing end of thesegment 70a and in proper angular relation to each other, it isessential that the segment 70a and stock 16 are maintained in perfectalignment along their common longitudinal axis 36 while each of the cutsare being made. This is important particularly while making the second,last cut because the prior cuts weaken the stock substantially in theconnective region. Additionally, the connective portion 126 may bedisposed in relation to the cutting disc 28 during the final cut so thatthe connective portion 126 will be severed before the final cut iscompleted. Unless from the stock 16 and the cut could not be completedIn order to insure that the segment 70a and stock 16 are maintained inaxial alignment along the longitudinal axis 36 during the full durationof each cut, a pair of vises 18, 20 are employed to grip firmly thestock 16 and the segment 70a on both sides of the cutting disc 28 whileeach cut is being made. The primary vise 18 is supported on the tablerearwardly of the cutter descent axis 34 and is of self-centeringconstruction as is wellknown in the art. The vise 18 includes a pair ofgripping jaws 130 which are movable toward and away from stock 16 andsegment a remaining connected. (See each other on opposite sides of thestock 16 by the operation of the crank 132. After the stock 16 has beenpositioned properly, the vise 18 is locked about the stock 16. Thesecondary, floating vise 20, which is supported on the table 14forwardly of the cutter descent axis 34 then is clamped to the segment.As shown in FIG. 10, the secondary vise 20 includes a longitudinalmounting bracket 134 which may be fastened to the table 14 and which hasan inverted T-shaped slot 136 formed along its length. A jaw slide plate138 is supported on top of the bracket 134 and may be secured firmly tothe bracket 134 in a position along its length by means of bolts 140which extend upwardly from the T-shaped slot 136 and through transverseslots 142 formed in the slide plate 138. The heads of the bolts 140 arecaptured within the T-shaped slot 136 of the bracket 134. The transverseposition of the slide plate 138 on the mounting bracket 134 may beadjusted within the limits defined by engagement of the bolt 140 withthe transverse ends of the slot 142. When positioned properly in thedesired transverse position, the slide plate 138 is locked to thebracket 134 by nuts 144.

One of the jaws 146 of the secondary vise is fastened to the slide plate138, and the other is slidably mounted for transverse movement along theslide plate 138 by the guide flanges 148. The movable secondary vise jaw146 may be clamped by a conventional clamping bolt 150 which -isthreaded through a portion of the slide plate 138 and is'connected tothe movable of the secondary vise jaws 146. After the stock 16 has beenrotated to the desired angular orientation about its longitudinal axis36, the primary vise 18 is clamped about the stock 16 and then thesecondary, floating vise 20 is positioned about the segment and isclamped to the forwardly projecting segment 70a to insure that thesegment 70a and stock 16 will be maintained in registry during the fullduration of the cut and will not fall away once the connective portion126 has been severed. Thus, the floating device is adjustable in twoplanes so that it may be moved close to the cutting station which willprovide maximum support or may be moved to permit clearance of thecutting disc when the angle of cut is varied. Because the floatingdevice is not clamped to the table until after it has been clamped tothe segment 7 0a, it does not influence stock location.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the mechanism for advancingthe cutting unit 12 along the vertical cutter descent axis 34. As shownin FIG. 11, the slide is connected, at its lower end, to a vertical rod152 which has a fork 154 formed at its lower end. The fork 154 ispivoted to a transverse lever 156 between the operators handle 158 and apivot 160 at which the lever 156 is pivotally mounted to the base 10 ofthe machine. The lever 156 projects outwardly beyond the pivot 166 andhas a number of holes formed along its length which enable a counterweight 164 to be positioned adjustably along the length of theprojecting end of the lever 156. The counterweight 164 is selected andpositioned to urge the lever 156 in a clockwise position as viewed inFIG. 11 to bias slightly the cutting unit 12 in a nonnally upwardposition. The biasing force preferably is such that the operator mayurge the cutting unit 12 downwardly by pressing the handle 158downwardly under a relative small force, preferably of the order of afew pounds. The relatively low force thus required by the operator toadvance the cutting unit downwardly along the cutter descent axis 34provides a more sensitive feel to the operator as the cutting wheeladvances through the stock. Additionally, the operator's handle 158preferably is located approximately at waist level for more comfortableoperation and to reduce operator fatigue.

The mechanism for advancing the cutting unit 12 downwardly along thecutter descent axis 34 also includes a gaging and limitstop arrangement,shown in FIG. 1, to enable the operator to determine the depth of cutand to provide an adjustable stop to limit the advancement and depth ofcut of the cutting blade 28 through the stock 16 as might be desiredwhen a number of cuts are to be made repetitively and to the same depth.The gage 166 is fastened to the vertical slide 30 and has verticallydisposed indicia 168 formed thereon. A movable reference index ismounted to the post 32 for vertical movement alongside the scale 168 ona vertical bar 172 in order to gage the depth of cut (advancement of thecutter blade 28 through the stock along the cutter descent axis 34). Thestock 16 is positioned firmly in readiness for the cut and the cuttingunit 12 is urged downwardly with the motor 50 turned off. When thecutting blade 28 bears against the stock, the sliding reference index ismoved along the bar 172 into registry with the zero reference on thescale 168. After the gage has been set to the zero reference,

the depth of cut of the cutting disc 28 is displayed 2 clearly to theoperator by the position of the scale 168 in relation to the referenceindex 170.

The machine also includes a depth-of-cut limit stop which may beemployed to limit the extent of downward advancement of the cutting disc28 along the vertical descent axis 34, as might be desired when a numberof cuts are to be made to a fixed depth in the stock. This arrangementincludes a vertical slide bar 174 which is secured to the base 10 of,the machine near the portion of the lever 156 which extends toward theoperator. An adjustable stop 176 is slidably mounted for verticalmovement along the length of the slide bar 174 and may be locked in anyvertical position along the slide bar 174. A portion of the stop 176mejects below and into the path of movement of the lever 156 to limitthe extent of downward travel of the lever 156 and, therefore, thecutting unit 12.

A further aspect of the invention resides in the orientation between thesupporting post 32, slide 30, the cutting unit 12 and the are throughwhich the cutting unit maybe swung above the cutter descent axis 34. Therelationship of the elements is such that the swarf is ejected fromthe'cutting unit along a path and in a direction which is not directedtoward any parts of the machine, such as the post 32, or the operator.This enhances operator safety in that the likelihood of particles ofswarf ricocheting toward the operator is minimized and, additionally,the ejection of swarf away from any of the machine parts permits a swarfcollector, such as a vacuum inlet, to be positioned in align-' ment withthe ejected swarf. This provides a clean operating environment which isdesirable. As shown, somewhat diagrammatically, in FIG. 12, the cuttingdisc 28 is intended to be pivoted only within an arc of 180, indicatedat 178. The swarf which is ejected, for example, as shown by the arrow180, similarly will be ejected in a direction lying within the arc 178.The machine includes no obstructions presented to the direction of swarf1-0 throughout the full range of the are 178. The post 32 which supportsthe cutting unit 12 extends from the post at an angle which isapproximately 45 to the longitudinal center line 36 of the machine. Bylocating the post 32 in the comer, it is removed from the direction ofswarf ejection 180 and also permits an operator to be disposed directlybehind the cutting unit with a full unobstructed view of the work-'piece and the'cutting disc 28. Additionally, in the preferredembodiment of the invention, a safety door 182 (see FIG. 1) is hinged tothe post 32 to protect the operator further and to provide a barrierbetween the operator and the cutting unit 12. When the cutting unit 12is pivoted about the cutter descent axis 34 to a position in which themotor 50 extends generally toward the operator, the door 182 may swingtoward the operator to provide clearance for the motor 50 yet to protectthe operator from the cutting unit 12.

Although the invention has been described thus far in connection withelongated stock 16 of circular cross sectional shape, it may be employedwith equal effectiveness to cut noncircular stock of either regular orirregular geometric cross section. In order to support and secure firmlythe trailing end of the noncircular stock 184, a chuck 22 may beprovided with an adapter designed especially to receive and grip thetrailing end of the stock, or if rotation of the stock about itslongitudinal center line 36 is not necessary, a butt-vise 186 may besubstituted for the chuck as shown in FIG. 13. The butt-vise 186 isfastened to the carriage by the bolts 188 which also are employed tofasten removably the chuck 22 to the carriage 26. The butt-vise includesa pair of conventional self-centering jaws 190 which are clamped aboutthe stock 184 by the vise handle 192. In order to register the trailingend of the stock 184 properly within the vise 186, an end butt plate 194is pivoted to the rearward end of one of the self-centering jaws 190.When the butt plate 194 is used to provide a reference location for thetrailing end of the stock 184, the plate is located as shown in solid inFIG. 13 in which the plate spans the rearward ends of the vise jaws 190.When the butt plate 194 is used, it is insured that any and each stock184 which is placed in the vise 186 in abutment with the butt plate 194will be cut in a length equal to all other stock registered against thebutt plate 194, provided that the carriage 26 is maintained in itslocked fixed position along the rail 24. The butt plate may be pivotedout of the way as shown in phantom in FIG. 13 to enable a larger lengthof stock 184 to be gripped between the jaws 190 with the trailing end ofthe stock 184 projecting rearwardly behind the vise 186.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fabricatingsegments 70 to provide alignment notches onthe cut end of the segment toenable that cut end tobe mated in perfect registry with another segmentalso having similar alignment notches located adjacent its matingsurface. Obviously even if the mating ends of the cut segment are formedperfectly, these ends still must be aligned by the fabricator or workerbefore the segments are secured together as by welding, etc. In mostinstances, the segments to be mated are aligned visually. With manyshapes proper visual alignment is extremely difficult, and a slighterror in alignment may have the same adverse effect as if the mating endor surface of the segment was not properly cut initially. In accordancewith the invention, an alignment notch is made in the stock just beforethe cut is made. For example, FIG. 14 shows a section of stock 16 whichis to be cut along the dotted region 196 at a 45 angle to thelongitudinal axis 'of the stock 16. The resulting mating face 198 willlie in a single plane and is intended to be mated with a similarly cutsegment 70b having an identical mating face 198 to form a right angle,or elbow, as'shown in FIG. 15 in which the mating faces meet at 198. Itis essential that the faces 198 of the segments 70b meet properly sothat the remainder of the segments 70b also will be disposed properly inrelation to each other and in relation to any other segments to whichthe segments 70b will be connected. Before the main cut 196 is made, analignment notch 200 is formed on the outer surface of the stock byrotating the cutting unit 12 to an angular position about the cutterdescent axis 34 which is 90 displaced from the plane along which the cut196 is to be made. The

cutting unit 12 then is moved downwardly toward the stock 16 and makes aslight cut in the outer surfaceof the stock. The out should be deepenough so that a notch will be clearly visible. Although in someinstances only one alignment notch 200 may be sufficient to facilitateregistration of the subsequently mated segments, in the preferredtechnique the stock 16 is rotated about its longitudinal axis 36 180 anda second notch is formed diametrically opposite the first notch 200.After the alignment notches 200 have been cut in the outer surface ofthe stock, the cutting unit is returned to its position to effect theout along the region 196. After two such segments have been notched andcut, they may be joined and mated as shown in FIG. 15. Properregistration of the segments b is insured by mating the surfaces 198 sothat the alignment notches 200 are aligned. The segments 70b may beplaced, while in this relative disposition, in a jig and may be weldedtogether while in the jig.

It is essential that the cutting blade 28 is disposed precisely alongthe cutter descent axis 34 in order to achieve the accuracy capabilitiesof the machine. If, for any reason, the cutting disc 28 is changed or anew disc is substituted, the disc 28 must be supported so that thevertical descent axis 34 passes symmetrically through the width of thenew cutter blade 28. Adjustment of the position of the cutting blade 28is provided by the arrangement shown in FIG. 16 in which the motor 50 issupported from a bracket 220 for slidable, adjustable movement along theaxis of the motor 50 and disc 28 (perpendicular to the cutter descentaxis 34). The adjustment of the position of the motor 50 may be made byan upstanding gauge plate 222 secured to the motor 50 and which isengaged on opposite sides by a pair of adjusting screws 224 threadedthrough the studs 226 secured to the bracket 220. The screws 224 may beadjusted to position the motor 50 and the blade 28 properly. Oncepositioned properly, the motor 50 is locked in this position to thebracket 220 by a locking bolt 226;

In order to achieve accurate positioning of the motor 50 and cutterblade 28, a gage, shown'in FIG. 16a, is I employed. The gage, indicatedgenerally by the reference character 228, includes a pair of sidemembers 230 which are spaced by a blade 232, the side members 230 andblade 232 being releasably clamped by a locking bolt 234. Each of theside members 230 has an upstanding lug 236 which supports a dialindicator 238, the indicators 238 having contact pads 240 which extendinwardly toward each other. When using the gage, the bolt 234 isloosened to permit the blade 232 to be pivoted upwardly between the pads240 as shown in FIG. 16a. The bolt 234 then is tightened with the pads240 bearing against opposite sides of the upstanding blade 232. Theindicator bezels then are adjusted to a zero reading. The bolt 234 thenis loosened to permit the blade 232 to be pivoted downwardly to anout-of-way position. The bolt then is retightened, and the gage isplaced in the self-centering device 18 of the machine as shown in FIG.16. The cutting unit 12 is oriented so that the blade 28 is parallel tothe longitudinal axis 36 of the machine. The cutting unit then is urgeddownwardly to bring the cutting blade 28 between thepads 240 of theindicators 238. When the blade 28 is so positioned, with the pads 240bearing against the opposite sides of the blade, proper orientation ofthe blade in alignment with the cutter descent axis 34 is evidenced byidentical readings on both of the indicators 238. If the readings arenot identical, then the blade 28 is out of alignment, and the positionof the motor is adjusted as described above until the indicators 238show identical readings. The blade then is in proper position, and themotor may be locked to the frame 220 by the bolt 226.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the technique which theoperator employs while operating the machine. Unlike previous cut-offmachines, the operator may cut relatively complex parts with relativelysimple instructions from the designer or other person preparing thespecifications for the part or parts which are to be fabricated. Thesimplicity of the instructions is enhanced further by the manner inwhich the cutter scale 40 and protractor scale 62 are marked. FIG. 17shows, schematically, the arrangement of the scale 40 as viewed fromabove the machine. The scale 40 is arranged in two quadrants withdifferent designations, 4

such as A and B. Each of the quadrants A and B is marked from 0 to 90,with the 90 degree indicia being common to both quadrants A and B. Asshown in FIG. 17, when the 90 indicia is in registry with the fixedreference index 42, the 0 indicia in quadrants A and B will be disposedin alignment with the longitudinal axis 36. The cutting blade 28 willlie in a plane that meets the longitudinal axis 36 at right angles. Byrotating the cutting unit 12 along quadrants A and B, the cutting disc28 may be oriented to meet the longitudinal axis at any angle. Wheninstructing the operator to make a particular cut in a workpiece, he isinstructed to pivot the cutting unit 12 to a particular quadrant andangle between 0 and 90 in that quadrant. This positions the cuttingblade 28 and the intended orientation and' requires no calculations onthe part of the operator. Any calculations which might necessarily havebeen made may be made by the designer or other person preparing theinstructions for the operator.

FIG. 18 shows, schematically, the arrangement of the protractor scale 62about the protractor 60 as viewed along the longitudinal axis 36 lookingin a forward direction. The scale 62 is divided into a pair ofsemicircular segments L and R, each of which circumscribes an arc of180. After the stock has been secured in the chuck 22 and the protractor60 has been secured with its 0 indicia in registry with the fixedreference index 64, the angular position of the stock 16 may becontrolled by simple instructions to the operator which specifies thatthe chuck 22 should be rotated into a particular angle setting on one orthe other section. This arrangement also avoids any mathematicalcalculations on the part of the operator and provides for greatlysimplified instruction.

Instructions for the operator relating to the length of the segmentwhich projects beyond the cutting blade 28 also is simplified, asdescribed above, in that the operator need only be instructed to advancethe carriage 26 a particular distance as read out on the linearmeasuring device. The operator sets the linear measuring device 106 andtape measure to the 0 setting and then simply advances the carriage 26by the crank-102 for the required distance. All calculations are made bythe designer or skilled person and the operator is only required toperform the relatively simple task of advancing the carriage 26 therequired distance as measured by the linear measuring device 106.

One of the factors which must be considered when designing a part andinstructing the operator is that al lowances must be made for the kerfcorresponding to the width of the cutting disc 28 when specifying theextent of forward advancement of the chuck 22 and carriage 26 along therail. For example, when the cut is made at an angle of to thelongitudinal axis 36 of the stock 16, the kerf allowance is equal to thewidth of the cutting disc. As the angle of the cut is reduced, however,the kerf allowance must be increased, the increase being a function ofthe sine of the angle of the cut.

it should be understood that the foregoing description of the inventionis intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodimentsand modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit.

Having thus described the invention what I desire to claim and secure byLetters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for cutting a segment from elongate stock at a cuttingstation, said stock having a longitudinal axis, comprising, incombination:

a frame having a support post secured thereto;

a cutting unit mounted to said post for movement toward and away fromsaid cutting station and along a cutter descent axis which passesthrough said cutting station;

a rail extending from said frame in a direction that is substantiallynormal to said cutter descent axis, said rail including a generallyflat, elongate rail plate;

a carriage including wheels rotatably mounted thereto for supportingsaid carriage for movement along the surface of said rail plate towardand, away from said cutting station, said carriage further includingmeans engagable with the side edges of said rail plate for maintainingand guiding said carriage along said rails;

means mounted to said carriage for supporting the trailing end of saidstock so that the longitudinal axis of said stock passes through saidcutting station and intersects, normally, said cutter descent axis atsaid cutting station;

means for releasably locking said carriage to said rail to enable aselected region of said stock to be accurately positioned and located atsaid cutting station in readiness to be cut by said cutting unit;

means mounted to said carriage for cooperation with said rail forindicating the extent of linear advancement of said carriage along saidrail and toward said cutting station from a predetermined, more rearwardlocation along said ,rail, said indicating means comprising:

a tape measure unwindingly secured to said carriage and having a freeend;

connector means secured to said free end of said tape measure for firm,releasable attachment to said rail;

a fixed reference index disposed on said carriage and associated withsaid tape measure to register with a standard indicia of said tapemeasure when said tape is fully rewound; and

rail is magnetically permeable and wherein said connector meanscomprises a magnet.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicating meansfurther comprises:

a high resolution linear measuring device mounted to said carriage andhaving a friction wheel engagable with theedge of said rail plate, saidfriction wheel being associated with said indicator to provide ameasurement of the extent of linear advancement of said carriage alongsaid rail, said indicator being 1 adapted to be reset to a standardindication before advancement of said carriage to provide a directreadout of the extent of linear advancement of said carriage along saidrail. 4. An apparatus for cutting a segment from elongate stock at acutting station, said stock having a longitudinal axis, comprising, incombination:

a frame having a supporting post secured thereto;

a cutting unit mounted to said post for movement toward and away fromsaid cutting station and along a cutter descent axis which passesthrough said cutting station;

a rail extending from said frame in a direction that is substantiallynormal to said cutter descent axis, said rail including a generallyflat, elongate rail plate;

a carriage including wheels rotatably mounted thereto for supportingsaid carriage for movement along the surface of said rail plate towardand away from said cutting station, said carriage further includingmeans engagable with the side edges of said rail plate for maintainingand guiding said carriage along said rails;

means mounted to said carriage for supporting the trailing end of saidstock so that the longitudinal axis of said stock passes through saidcutting station and intersects, normally, said cutter descent axis atsaid cutting station;

means for releasably locking said carriage to said rail to enable aselected region of said stock to be accurately positioned and located atsaid cutting station in readiness to be cut by said cutting unit; and

said means for releasably locking said carriage to said rail comprising:

a pair gripping plates pivotally secured to opposite sides of saidcarriage and depending downwardly therefrom below the edges of said railblade; and

a locking bolt extending transversely between said carriage and saidrail plate and being in threaded engagement with said gripping platewhereby said bolt may be rotated to swing said gripping plate toward theedges of said rail plate to lock said gripping plates thereto. 5. Anapparatus for cutting segments from elongate stock at a cutting station,said stock having a longitudinal axis, comprising, in combination:

a fr e havi a su ort 0s ecure thereto" a cfing unii mouii t d t sairipost fbr movernent in a direction that is toward and away from said-cutting'station and along a cutter descent axis which passes throughsaid cutting station and along a cutter descent which passes through Isaid cutting station; a rail extending from said frame along a directionsubstantially normal to said cutter descent axis; a carriage supportedon said rail for movement along said rail toward and away from saidcutting station; means mounted to said carriage for supporting atrailing end of said stock so that the longitudinal axis of said stockpasses through said cutting station and intersects normally said cutterdescent axis at said cutting station; means for releasably locking saidcarriage to said rail to enable a selected region of said stock to belocated at said cutting station in readiness for acutting operation;

means mounted to said carriage for cooperation with said rail forindicating the extent'of linear advancement 'of said carriage towardsaid cutting station from a predetermined, rearward location along saidrail, said indicating means being so constructed and arranged as to becapable of being reset to'a standard reference indication'when at saidpredetermined rearward location whereby calculation to determine theextent of advancement of said carriage and said stock is eliminated;

said indicating means comprising:

a tape measure unwindingly secured to said carriage and having a freeend;

connector means secured to the free end of said tape measure for firm,releasable attachment to said rail; and

a fixed reference index disposed on said carriage and associated withsaid tape measure, said reference index being arranged to register witha standard setting on said tape when said tape is fully rewound.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rail is ofmagnetically permeable material and wherein said connector meanscomprises a magnet.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said indicator meansfurther comprises: I

1. An apparatus for cutting a segment from elongate stock at a cuttingstation, said stock having a longitudinal axis, comprising, incombination: a frame having a support post secured thereto; a cuttingunit mounted to said post for movement toward and away from said cuttingstation and along a cutter descent axis which passes through saidcutting station; a rail extending from said frame in a direction that issubstantially normal to said cutter descent axis, said rail including agenerally flat, elongate rail plate; a carriage including wheelsrotatably mounted thereto for supporting said carriage for movementalong the surface of said rail plate toward and away from said cuttingstation, said carriage further including means engagable with the sideedges of said rail plate for maintaining and guiding said carriage alongsaid rails; means mounted to said carriage for supporting the trailingend of said stock so that the longitudinal axis of said stock passesthrough said cutting station and intersects, normally, said cutterdescent axis at said cutting station; means for releasably locking saidcarriage to said rail to enable a selected region of said stock to beaccurately positioned and located at said cutting station in readinessto be cut by said cutting unit; means mounted to said carriage forcooperation with said rail for indicating the extent of linearadvancement of said carriage along said rail and toward said cuttingstation from a predetermined, more rearward location along said rail,said indicating means comprising: a tape measure unwindingly secured tosaid carriage and having a free end; connector means secured to saidfree end of said tape measure for firm, releasable attachment to saidrail; a fixed reference index disposed on said carriage and associatedwith said tape measure to register with a standard indicia of said tapemeasure when said tape is fully rewound; and said indicating means beingcapable of being reset to a standard reference indication when at saidpredetermined rearward location whereby the extent of linear advancementmay be read directly from said indicating means thus eliminatingcalculation in order to determine the extent of advancement.
 2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rail is magneticallypermeable and wherein said connector means comprises a magnet.
 3. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said indicating means furthercomprises: a high resolution linear measuring device mounted to saidcarriage and having a friction wheel engagable with the edge of saidrail plate, said friction wheel being associated with said indicator toprovide a measurement of the extent of linear advancement of saidcarriage along said rail, said indicator being adapted to be reset to astandard indication before advancement of said carriage to provide adirect readout of the extent of linear advancement of said carriagealong said rail.
 4. An apparatus for cutting a segment from elongatestock at a cutting station, said stock having a longitudinal axis,comprising, in combination: a frame having a supporting post securedthereto; a cutting unit mounted to said post for movement toward andaway from said cutting station and along a cutter descent axis whichpasses through said cutting station; a rail extending from said frame ina direction that is substantially normal to said cutter descent axis,said rail including a generally flat, elongate rail plate; a carriageincluding wheels rotatably mounted thereto for supporting said carriagefor movement along the surface of said rail plate toward and away fromsaid cutting station, said carriage further including means engagablewith the side edges of said rail plate for maintaining and guiding saidcarriage along said rails; means mounted to said carriage for supportingthe trailing end of said stock so that the longitudinal axis of saidstock passes through said cutting station and intersects, normally, saidcutter descent axis at said cutting station; means for releasablylocking said carriage to said rail to enable a selected region of saidstock to be accurately positioned and located at said cutting station inreadiness to be cut by said cutting unit; and said means for releasablylocking said carriage to said rail comprising: a pair gripping platespivotally secured to opposite sides of said carriage and dependingdownwardly therefrom below the edges of said rail blade; and a lockingbolt extending transversely between said carriage and said rail plateand being in threaded engagement with said gripping plate whereby saidbolt may be rotated to swing said gripping plate toward the edges ofsaid rail plate to lock said gripping plates thereto.
 5. An apparatusfor cutting segments from elongate stock at a cutting station, saidstock having a longitudinal axis, comprising, in combination: a framehaving a support post secured thereto; a cutting unit mounted to saidpost for movement in a direction that is toward and away from saidcutting station and along a cutter descent axis which passes throughsaid cutting station and along a cutter descent axis which passesthrough said cutting station; a rail extending from Said frame along adirection substantially normal to said cutter descent axis; a carriagesupported on said rail for movement along said rail toward and away fromsaid cutting station; means mounted to said carriage for supporting atrailing end of said stock so that the longitudinal axis of said stockpasses through said cutting station and intersects normally said cutterdescent axis at said cutting station; means for releasably locking saidcarriage to said rail to enable a selected region of said stock to belocated at said cutting station in readiness for a cutting operation;means mounted to said carriage for cooperation with said rail forindicating the extent of linear advancement of said carriage toward saidcutting station from a predetermined, rearward location along said rail,said indicating means being so constructed and arranged as to be capableof being reset to a standard reference indication when at saidpredetermined rearward location whereby calculation to determine theextent of advancement of said carriage and said stock is eliminated;said indicating means comprising: a tape measure unwindingly secured tosaid carriage and having a free end; connector means secured to the freeend of said tape measure for firm, releasable attachment to said rail;and a fixed reference index disposed on said carriage and associatedwith said tape measure, said reference index being arranged to registerwith a standard setting on said tape when said tape is fully rewound. 6.An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rail is of magneticallypermeable material and wherein said connector means comprises a magnet.7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said indicator meansfurther comprises: a high resolution linear measuring device mounted tosaid carriage and having a friction wheel engagable with said rail, saidfriction wheel being associated with an indicator to provide anindication of the extent of linear advancement of said carriage alongsaid rail, said indicator being adapted to be set to a standardreference before advancement of said carriage along said rail to providea direct readout of the extent of carriage advancement along said rail.